Psalms 118:13 — Word Study
WLCדַּחֹ֣ה דְחִיתַ֣נִי לִנְפֹּ֑ל וַ֖יהוָ֣ה עֲזָרָֽנִי׃
BSA◂I was pushed so harddâchâh [thrust sorely, violently] I was fallingnâphal [to fall, failing] ◂but the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] helped meʻâzar■ [aided, assisted, gave protection]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| דַּחֹ֣ה | certainly | Verb, Qal, infinitive absolute |
| דְחִיתַ֣נִי | you pushed me | Verb qal perfect second person masculine singular, suffix |
| לִנְפֹּ֑ל | to fall | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| וַ֖יהוָ֣ה | and Yahweh | Conjunction, noun proper |
| עֲזָרָֽנִי׃ | he helped me | Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I was pushed so hard I was falling, but the LORD helped me. |
| KJV | Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me. |
| ASV | Thou didst thrust sore at me that I might fall; But Jehovah helped me. |
| YLT | Thou hast sorely thrust me to fall, And Jehovah hath helped me. |
| WEB | You pushed me back hard, to make me fall, but Yahweh helped me. |
| BBE | I have been hard pushed by you, so that I might have a fall: but the Lord was my helper. |
The translations agree on the term דַּחֹ֣ה — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause and two subordinate phrases, illustrating the psalmist's distress followed by divine assistance.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectוְ
verbדָּחָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 118:13
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Song of Thanksgivinggenerated
Psalm 118:13 captures the psalmist's experience of being overwhelmed by adversaries, feeling as if he was about to fall. However, he acknowledges that the LORD intervened and provided the help he needed. This verse is part of a larger passage that celebrates God's steadfast love and deliverance, highlighting the contrast between human struggle and divine support.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 18:17–18 | He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from foes too mighty for me. |
| 2 | Psalm 56:1–3 | Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 20:3 | But David again vowed, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said, ‘Jonathan must not know of this, or he will be grieved.’ As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.” |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 25:29 | And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling. |
| 5 | 2 Samuel 17:1–3 | Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — דַּחֹ֣ה, da.Chohgenerated
The word דָּחָה (dachah) is a verb meaning 'to thrust' or 'to push down.' It conveys the idea of being forcefully driven or overwhelmed, as if being chased or attacked. The infinitive absolute form emphasizes the intensity of the action, indicating a serious or violent thrust.
This verb appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, often depicting situations where individuals face significant pressure or opposition. In this verse, it reflects the psalmist's feeling of being pushed to the point of falling, underscoring the severity of his distress.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main finite verb in this verse is דְחִיתַ֣נִי, you pushed me, which governs the overall meaning. The structure includes an infinitive phrase לִנְפֹּ֑ל (to fall), indicating the result of the action, and a conjunction linking it to the subject וַ֖יהוָ֣ה (and the LORD), who provides help.
The arrangement of the Hebrew words emphasizes the psalmist's plight followed by the assurance of divine assistance, showcasing a clear cause-and-effect relationship in the sentence.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates דַּחֹ֣ה as ὠσθεὶς (being pushed), which carries a similar connotation of being thrust or driven. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the emphasis on the act of being forcefully overwhelmed.
The rendering in the Septuagint captures the essence of the original Hebrew while adapting it for a Greek-speaking audience.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 118:13 describes a moment when the psalmist feels overwhelmed and about to fall due to being pushed hard, but he finds help in the LORD. This verse is part of a larger song of thanksgiving that celebrates God's deliverance and love.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To be 'pushed' refers to feeling overwhelmed by circumstances or enemies, to the point of near collapse.
The psalmist acknowledges that despite the pressure, the LORD provided the necessary help and support.
The LORD's help signifies divine intervention and support in times of distress, highlighting the trust placed in God.
Similar themes of distress followed by divine help appear throughout the Psalms, reflecting a common experience of reliance on God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I feel pushed or overwhelmed, and how can I seek help from God?
- How can I remind myself of God's past help in times of trouble?
- What does this verse teach me about the nature of God's support during difficult times?
- How can I encourage others who feel overwhelmed, based on this psalm?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church fathers often referenced this psalm to illustrate God's support in times of trouble. Here is a quotation from Augustine of Hippo, who reflects on the psalmist's experience.
"I have been driven on like a heap of sand, so that I was falling, but the Lord upheld me" [Psalms 118:13].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 118 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 118:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThou hast thrust sore at me, that I might fall,.... Or "pushing, thou hast pushed me (a), that I might fall": an apostrophe to some particular enemy, as Saul was to David; who thrust sore at him to
Read John Gill on Psalms 118 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. -At the beginning (Psalms 118:5) and at the close of this division (Psalms 118:13-14) the salvation already received is described.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 118 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThou, O mine enemy, and the head of all mine enemies. Possibly he understandeth Saul, whom for honour’ s sake he forbears to name; or some other chief commander of his enemies. Or the singular word is here put collectively for all his enemies.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 118 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 118:13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.Ver. 13. Thou hast thrust sore at me] Thou, O Saul, or thou, Ishbibenob, 2 Samuel 21:16, or thou, O Satan, setting such a work. But the Lord helped me] He sent from heaven and saved me; he came in the nick of time, as it were, out of an engine.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 118 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 13. Thou hast thrust sore at me] In pushing thou hast pushed me that I might fall. But the Lord helped me.] Though he possessed skill, courage, and strength, yet these could not have prevailed had not God been his helper; and to him he gives the glory of the victory.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 118 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges13. Thou didst thrust sore at me] The community as an individual addresses its enemies as an individual. Israel and the foe are as it were two warriors matched in single combat. Cp. Micah 7:8.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 118 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall - literally, “Thrusting thou hast thrust at me.” This is the Hebrew mode of expressing intensity, repetition, or emphasis.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 118 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible13. Thrust sore—Literally, Thrusting thou hast thrust, etc., an intensive form of speech. Thou hast done thy worst at violence and malice. The third person is changed for the second, and he addresses his enemies.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 118 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
I was pushed so hard I was falling, but the LORD helped me.
You pushed me back hard, to make me fall, but Yahweh helped me.
I was pushed so hard I was falling, but the LORD helped me.
“You aggressively attacked me and tried to knock me down, but the Lord helped me.
Tyndale line
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
Thou didst thrust sore at me that I might fall; But Jehovah helped me.
Thou didst thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
Thou hast violently thrust at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
Thou hast thrust sore at me, that I might fall: but the Lord hath holpen me.
Strictly literal
Thou hast thrust hard at me that I might fall; but Jehovah helped me.
Thou hast sorely thrust me to fall, And Jehovah hath helped me.
You have severely thrust me to fall, || And YHWH has helped me.
Thou hast thrust violently at me that I might fall; but the Lord assisted me.
They attacked me to knock me down, but Yahweh helped me.
From the Latin
With my lips I have pronounced all the judgments of thy mouth.
Simplified
They tried as hard as they could to kill me, but the Lord helped me.
I have been hard pushed by you, so that I might have a fall: but the Lord was my helper.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording for this verse, with all five words matched. This alignment indicates a consistent understanding of the text across these ancient witnesses.
דַּחֹ֣ה דְחִיתַ֣נִי לִנְפֹּ֑ל וַ֖יהוָ֣ה עֲזָרָֽנִי׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 118:13
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
דָּחָה (dachah) means to push or thrust, with a range of meanings including to chase, drive away, or overthrow. It appears in various grammatical forms, such as Niph. where it indicates being thrust down. The entries also reference דָּחַח (dachach), which is a related form with a similar meaning.
דָּחָה vb. push, thrust
Qal push
Niph. be thrust or cast down
Pu. they are thrust down
base
[דָּחַח] vb. only Niph. Impf. 3mpl. Je 23:12 they shall be thrust down
ref
H1760a דָּחָה push, thrust H1760b דָּחַח only Niph. Impf. 3mpl. they shall be thrust down
1760 dachah daw-khaw'
or dachach {Jer. 23:12) {daw-khakh'}; a primitive root; to
push down:--chase, drive away (on), overthrow, outcast, X
sore, thrust, totter.
דָּחָה (da.chah) — to thrust.
1) to push, thrust, chase, overflow, totter, sore, drive away or out, be outcast, be cast down
1a) (Qal) to push, push violently
1b) (Niphal) to be thrust, be cast down
1c) (Pual) to be thrust down
דָּחַח (da.chach) — to thrust.
(Niphal) to be thrust down
A grammatical form of da.chah (דָּחָה "to thrust" H1760A)
V-Qal-Ptc — Verb · Qal · infinitive absoluteHVqaa
דָּחָה (dachah) means to push or thrust, with a range of meanings including to chase, drive away, or overthrow. It appears in various grammatical forms, such as Niph. where it indicates being thrust down. The entries also reference דָּחַח (dachach), which is a related form with a similar meaning.
דָּחָה vb. push, thrust
Qal push
Niph. be thrust or cast down
Pu. they are thrust down
base
[דָּחַח] vb. only Niph. Impf. 3mpl. Je 23:12 they shall be thrust down
ref
H1760a דָּחָה push, thrust H1760b דָּחַח only Niph. Impf. 3mpl. they shall be thrust down
1760 dachah daw-khaw'
or dachach {Jer. 23:12) {daw-khakh'}; a primitive root; to
push down:--chase, drive away (on), overthrow, outcast, X
sore, thrust, totter.
דָּחָה (da.chah) — to thrust.
1) to push, thrust, chase, overflow, totter, sore, drive away or out, be outcast, be cast down
1a) (Qal) to push, push violently
1b) (Niphal) to be thrust, be cast down
1c) (Pual) to be thrust down
דָּחַח (da.chach) — to thrust.
(Niphal) to be thrust down
A grammatical form of da.chah (דָּחָה "to thrust" H1760A)
HVqp2ms/Sp1bs — Verb qal perfect second person masculine singular · suffixHVqp2ms/Sp1bs
נָפַל (naphal) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to fall,' encompassing a wide range of applications, including falling by accident, experiencing violent death, or going to ruin. It can also refer to prostrating oneself, attacking, or causing someone to fall. The term appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often indicating physical or metaphorical downfall.
נָפַל 433 vb. fall, lie
Qal 366
fall, by accident
Esp. of violent death
fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.
fig. = experience calamity
fall, of a city
Fall prostrate
fall = prostrate oneself before
fall upon one's neck, in embrace
Fall upon = attack
desert or fall away to, go over to
Fig., of deep sleep
Other idiomatic uses
= lie; = lie prostrate
Hiph.
cause to fall
Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction
Esp. of casting lot
Fig., let drop, cause to fail
cause deep sleep to fall
Other idioms
Hithp. throw, or prostrate oneself
base
H5307 נָפַל fall, lie .. fall, by accident
. . Esp. of violent death
. fig. = go to ruin, perish, etc.
. fig. = experience calamity
. fall, of a city
. . Fall prostrate
. fall = prostrate oneself before
. fall upon one's neck, in embrace
. . Fall upon = attack
. desert or fall away to, go over to
. Fig., of deep sleep
. Other idiomatic uses
. = lie; = lie prostrate
. . cause to fall
. Of causing death; = overthrow, bring to destruction
. Esp. of casting lot
. Fig., let drop, cause to fail
. cause deep sleep to fall
. Other idioms
. throw, or prostrate oneself
5307 naphal naw-fal'
a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications
(intransitive or causative, literal or figurative):--be
accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide
(by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall
(away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have
(inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for 6419), lay
(along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be (X hast) lost,
lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make
to) rot, slay, smite out, X surely, throw down.
see HEBREW for 06419
נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: fall.
: fall/drop/fail
1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fall
1a2) to fall (of violent death)
1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before
1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of
1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result
1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to
1a7) to lie, lie prostrate
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate
1b2) to overthrow
1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot
1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.)
1b5) to cause to fall
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon
1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself
1d) (Pilel) to fall
נָפַל (na.phal) — to fall: deserting.
: deserting
1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fall
1a2) to fall (of violent death)
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
fol (vb.): The idea of falling is most frequently expressed in Hebrew by naphal, but also by many other words; in Greek by pipto, and its compounds. The uses of the word in Scripture are very varied. There is the literal falling by descent; the falling of the countenance in sorrow, shame, anger, etc. (Ge 4:5,6); the falling in battle (Ge 14:10; Nu 14:3, etc.); the falling into trouble, etc. (Pr 24:16,17); prostration in supplication and reverence (Ge 17:3; Nu 14:5, etc.); falling of the Spirit of Yahweh (Eze 11:5…
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun properHC/Npt
עָזַר (azar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to help or succour. It is built from a primitive root that conveys the idea of surrounding or protecting. The entries indicate its use in various forms: Qal (to help), Niphal (to be helped), and Hiphil (to help). The word captures the essence of providing support or aid.
[עָזַר] 82 vb. help, succour
Qal help
Niph. I am helped
Hiph. v. Qal.
base
H5826 [עָזַר] help, succour
5826 `azar aw-zar'
a primitive root; to surround, i.e. protect or aid:--help,
succour.
עָזַר (a.zar) — to help.
1) to help, succour, support
1a) (Qal) to help
1b) (Niphal) to be helped
1c) (Hiphil) to help
V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVqp3ms/Sp1bs